numвer σf catѕ: 14ѕervingѕ needed: 4 neхt moonpool viѕit: any time ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Every trace of fog and rain had evaporated as greenleaf set in, leaving the cats of Clayclan with the kind of mild weather that perfectly suited exploration of the land that lay just beyond the eastern riverbed. Though the weather was sunny Mottledfoot's heart was anything but. The dappled sun that streamed through yellow leaves brought not only warmth to her pelt but also a melancholy weight, a memory of kithood. It had nearly been half her lifetime since the former Aspenclan apprentice had walked the land she had born to and each step awoke a new memory within her that had been buried until then.
"Mottledfoot?" Tawnymoon's mew cut into her thoughts and brought her back to the present.
"You're the leader of this expedition, care to share your thoughts?" Though the former leader's tone was gentle it was also prodding, a request for Mottledfoot to get her head in the game. Though she had told Resinstar when he had appointed her in charge of the exploration of former Aspenclan territory that she was perfectly capable of maintaining professional interest the young warrior was having a difficult time focusing now that she was actually in the aspen forest. Mottledfoot took a deep breath of familiar air, filling her lungs with gaseous memory, and nodded determinedly.
"We should see what's left of the old camp first, it might still be usable enough to act as a temporary camp when the river floods. Then we can take a look at the lake. Unlike our river it doesn't dry up in greenleaf so it's a feasible alternative during the warmer months." The walk from riverbend to Aspenclan camp was shorter than Mottledfoot remembered it, even if the distance was about twice Clayclan territory's full width. So too did the camp appear smaller, for her memories of the hollow were at kitten height.
"This's the old camp," she told the group. Rundown as it was for lack of care Mottledfoot would recognize the bramble wall anywhere, though it took her some nosing around to find the entrance. Wriggling through the branches Mottledfoot was presented with her first view of her old home. She hadn't dared imagine what shape it might be in the whole way over, not wanting to be disappointed, but though she steeled herself against it Mottledfoot felt a pang in her chest. Secretly, she had been hoping nothing had changed.
"Look at this wall," Crocusgaze mused behind her,
"Did the brambles grow here originally or is is all pawmade?" "Pawmade I think," replied Mottledfoot absently,
"I had to help fix it a few times and I saw no roots." Through her gaze remained on the overgrown camp Mottledfoot could imagine Crocusgaze nodding appreciatively, her mind already working through how to best coerce Resinstar into letting her arrange something similar for Clayclan. Gustpond came up besides her, grey pelt brushing against her's.
"How're you doing Mottledfoot?" he asked gently. The young warrior could only shrug.
"Numb I guess. It's nothing like I remember it but also entirely the same if that makes any sense." "As much sense as going home ever makes. Would you prefer we move on?" Though she appreciated the gesture Mottledfoot shook her head emphatically.
"No, we're here to scout this place out for future use. It's not like I'll be able to avoid it forever." Even if Ivypaw seemed to think she could.
"Besides, if Crocusgaze liked the wall she'll love the dens," she added wryly,
"Maybe she'll start a campaign to rainproof our dens back home."The warriors fanned out to inspect different corners of the camp. Gustpond had insisted on accompanying Mottledfoot and she was thankful for someone to lean on as she had to face the damage of time. In truth the past however-long-it-had-been had been rather kind to the Aspenclan camp which suffered mainly from moss that had overgrown worn paths and wrens that had nested in the nursery. Most disorienting had been the collapse of the Half-Fallen tree, whose weight had finally proven too much for the crumbling cave where Robinstar had slept. At least Tanglestep had never had a chance to defile the leader's perch with his traitorous paws; neither pelt nor whisker of him had been spotted since his failed coup had split Aspenclan.
"This was where I used to sleep." Mottledfoot's mew was tinged with melancholy as she and Gustpond drew near to the clump of brambles that had made up the apprentice den.
"Was it prickly?" asked Gustpond lightly, succeeding in making Mottledfoot giggle.
"No, it was quite soft actually. We lined our nests with moss and catkins-" Mottledfoot trailed off, a slight smile crossing her muzzle as she remembered a fond little memory.
"We used to wear catkins you know. Robinstar wore this beautiful crown with leaves for every life-" How quickly those leaves had been plucked.
"-and we apprentices had a chain around a front paw. I was so excited when I received mine, though nowhere near as excited as Poppypaw-" She paused mid mew, suddenly struct by a dangerous thought, a futile hope that she knew, she swore she knew, would only lead to heartbreak. Now that it was in her mind, however, this hope would not let go.
"I need to check something." Mottledfoot squeezed through the collapsed brambles of the former apprentice den, numb to the thorns that clawed at her long fur. She scanned the dark enclosure, blinking as her eyes adjusted from the bright sun outside. Where had her nest been? In the middle of the den, yes she could remember it clearly now. Her, Littlepaw, and Ivypaw cuddled up in the center of the brambles keeping one another warm. She was the oldest so she had gotten the centermost nest and with it the most warmth and least likelihood of rolling into a thorny wall. Dried moss crackled beneath the entranced shecat's paws, sending up swirling scents, the musty memories of previous occupants. There was her old nest before her, still bearing her kitscent which lacked the undertones of clay and roots it now carried. So where was
it? Where was her kitfeather?
Desperate paws turned over rotted bedding, first her own and then all the rest in an ever expanding circle with ever more frantic movements. It was only when the entire den was overturned that Mottledfoot halted, only when Gustpond lay his bushy tail on her shoulders that she realized she was shaking with silent sobs.
"I knew the chance was slim," she choked out,
"In all the panic a feather would be crushed so easily, or it could have been stolen by a bird moons after, but I still let myself hope- it was stupid." Mottledfoot tried to will herself to stop crying but it was not that simple. Gustpond drew her into an embrace, solid and strong.
"Tell me about it?" he offered once his former apprentice had stopped shuddering. Drawing in a wracking breath Mottledfoot nodded tightly and explained.
"In Aspenclan the first prey you ever ate was a bird that you shared with your family. A feather was given to each littermate, one for each kit to the mother. It was a reminder of the bonds between family, the permanence of home given form. To lose it was to lose your connection to your kin. When I fled I lost my feather and I had hoped, stupidly, that it might still be where I had left it." She fell silent once more, fighting down uninvited emotion, then continued more softly.
"Sharing that first thrush with Ivypaw, Poppypaw, and Cloudmask was when I first felt at home in Aspenclan. Whenever I doubted my place I only had to look to my kitfeather and know they had a feather from the same bird to feel at home again."Gustpond pressed his nose to Mottledfoot's forehead.
"I know how it feels to be cut off from your family, but you aren't alone anymore." He smiled broadly at the young warrior, affection clear in his eyes.
"You have me and Taffytuft. I know Cloudmask will always have a place in your heart but I hope you know I consider you a kit of my own." Mottledfoot smiled.
"I do. You're a good father Gustpond, though the bar was fairly low with Tanglestep. If how you helped me is any indication yours and Taffytuft's kits couldn't be luckier." Gustpond ducked his head to hide a self-conscious grin.
"I expect you to be a perfect role model to them of course." "Of course." "And if it's okay I would love for them to share their first bird with you. Kitfeathers seem a worthy tradition to keep alive." Another pang welled up inside Mottledfoot's chest, but this one was of a happier pain.
"I would love that.""I was thinking Veilkit or Indigokit, maybe even Turkeykit," chirped Taffytuft, clearly having had put a great deal of thought into her list of names.
"Where did you dream those names up from?" Mottledfoot teased. She was sprawled lazily across the sandy beach alongside Gustpond and Taffytuft who were curled up together, happily enjoying both the warmth of one another and of the greenleaf sun.
"From the names of the mushrooms Gustpond and I gathered on the day we became mates," Taffytuft was more than happy to explain. Gustpond beamed and pressed his nose to his mate's neck.
"I think they're perfect names," he mumbled through white fur, his breath tickling Taffytuft and causing her to laugh and tickle him right back. Mottledfoot screwed up her muzzle in fake disgust.
"You guys are so gross." Besides her Flaxpool sighed contentedly, a peaceful smile stretched across her translucent muzzle. Mottledfoot knew her friend must be recalling her own parents, imagining the three of them blissfully cuddled up together.
"Speaking of gross displays of affection," teased Gustpond between gales of laughter and pleas to Taffytuft for mercy,
"I've noticed how you watch a certain apprentice." Mottledfoot's cheeks flushed despite herself. She tried her best to keep her cool, knowing that any reaction would only encourage her former mentor.
"I have no idea what you're talking about," she retorted.
"I'll give you a hint. Their name rhymes with Bopherbaw." Mottledfoot groaned loudly and buried her face in the sand. So much for flying under the radar; Gustpond would never let her live down her crush after how she had nagged him about Taffytuft.
"I for one think it's cute," mewed Taffytuft kindly.
"Thanks Taffytuft," groaned Mottledfoot through a mouthful of sand which she quickly regretted as she came up spitting grit.
"You should go talk to them," Gustpond suggested, his eyes gleaming brightly.
"No way!" Mottledfoot shook her head vehemently, still spitting out sand and clay.
"Oh come on, what's the worst that could happen?" "You were singing a very different tune just three moons ago," she accused.
"Well love has grown and matured me as a cat." "Good for you. Meanwhile the rest of us can only gaze up at cloud nine. Gopherpaw's really dedicated to training, I doubt they have relationships on their mind anyways." Gustpond gave a slight chuckle that so nearly bordered on condescending that Mottledfoot was forced to bat at him with a sheathed paw.
"If an apprentice as dedicated to training as you could develop such a bad crush then Gopherpaw will flat out fall in love.""Ryepath can we go train?" Gopherpaw didn't even bother to apologize for interrupting Ryepath and Tawnymoon's conversation, just gazed pleadingly at her grandmother and waited for her to break away. Sighing, Ryepath excused herself from Tawnymoon and followed her grandkit a little ways out of camp.
"What's bothering you Gopherpaw?" "Nothing," she replied tightly,
"I just wanted to get back to training. You said you'd take me out today." "Yes I did," Ryepath acknowledged, but then sighed, shooting a glance back over her shoulder towards the camp and Tawnymoon.
"I was hoping you might go out with some of the other apprentices, or maybe Mottledfoot. It would be nice to train with cats your own age wouldn't it?" Gopherpaw seemed to curl in on herself.
"You promised," she insisted, a slight whine to her mew. Ryepath felt her resolve shatter; her grandkit's dysphoria had to be awful if she was this desperate to train.
"What kind of training were you thinking of?" Though she had promised herself she would try a more paws off approach this time around to try and encourage Gopherpaw to form bonds outside of the pair of them, Ryepath would be lying to herself if the sight of Gopherpaw's eyes lighting up hadn't urged her to reconsider.
"Climbing," the apprentice mewed definitively,
"Like old times."Watching Gopherpaw scamper up the tall beech tree that marked the edge of Clayclan and Jinxclan territory, Ryepath couldn't help but acknowledge there wasn't much more she could teach her apprentice. She had grown into a strong young cat with more training under her paws than most apprentices could ever hope for. It seemed so long ago, Ryepath mused as she pulled herself up to the gnarled branch where Gopherpaw perched, that they had sat together like this at the edge of Prairieclan territory, dreaming of the future.
"What do you think is over there?" Gopherpaw asked idly, gesturing to the far north with a flick of her tail.
"Jinxclan mostly-" Gopherpaw let out a light laugh at her grandmother's joke.
"-but beyond? Who knows. Perhaps the tallest mountain you've ever climbed, taller than all the trees in the forest stack upon one another." "I know how tall mountains get Grainy," Gopherpaw reminded her grandmother gently,
"I'm not a kit on the plains anymore." "Oh I know." There was a wistful quality to Ryepath's mew. She knew all too well how grown her little grandkit was.
"Do you reckon we could climb a mountain?" asked the apprentice suddenly. Ryepath smiled fondly, following Gopherpaw's line of sight to the peak on the distant horizon.
"We can do anything we put our minds to." "Then let's do it." Gopherpaw had shot to her paws and was grinning brightly at her grandmother.
"Let's see what lies beyond Jinxclan."Ryepath's heart sunk.
"Gopherpaw-" "Oh come on Grainy it'll be fun!" chirped Gopherpaw forcefully, tail lashing to and fro.
"Just you and me on the road like old times." "Gopherpaw why don't you want to stay?" Ryepath's question made Gopherpaw fall silent. Her shoulders slumped and she turned to watch the horizon once more, her flicking tail the only indication of her distress. Ryepath cuddled up besides her, pressing together their thin pelts.
"I do want to stay," Gopherpaw mewed hesitantly,
"But I don't want to be made to leave. If I leave first then no one can make me." Ryepath lay her head atop Gopherpaw's and sighed.
"I think this is my fault." "Grainy no-" Drawing back to face Gopherpaw, Ryepath shot her a serious look.
"I started a precedent that if you were uncomfortable the answer was to leave. I stand by that decision, but what I also should have taught you was that you cannot head off a potential future by running away. Doing so simply leaves you with no future. Gopherpaw I truly believe that Clayclan is the place we've been looking for. You could be safe and happy here in a way traveling with me could never provide." "But I like traveling with you," Gopherpaw protested. Ryepath's gaze softened.
"As do I. Think of this as a different kind of traveling, exploring the possibilities of permanence." Gopherpaw sighed, but a slight smile had wormed its way onto her muzzle.
"Okay Grainy. But now can we train? If I'm going to stay I have to be the best warrior ever.""You should be set for your assessment next moon," Driftstep informed her patient as he finished lapping up his dosage of parsley.
"Four moons on parsley should be enough to settle your system." Fogpaw blinked thankfully up at the medicine cat, his mouth still too screwed up at the bitter herbal taste to properly communicate.
"So that's why you wanted to push back your assessment," Crocusgaze mewed, realization setting in.
"Yup," confirmed Fogpaw,
"Driftstep suggested it and I don't mind waiting." Crocusgaze chuckled.
"If only Ivypaw shared your patience. She knows she can't take her assessment for another two moons but she still hounds me about it every day." "Losing seven moons can do that to you," Driftstep mewed seriously.
"I suppose."The trio of medicine cat, patient, and semi-invited interloper were squeezed into the far too small medicine den. Driftstep had returned to sorting herbs now that she had taken care of her patient but surprisingly made no attempt to turn either of the occupants out, even Crocusgaze who by virtue of her promise was not supposed to be there. Still for once Driftstep did not begrudge the deputy's presence, there was something comforting about the idle chitchat between Fogpaw and Crocusgaze. It was harder to fear Rime when his body double was sprawled half out in the sun, half inside the den, chatting with a half-blind apprentice about his potential warrior name.
"Maybe I'll be named Fogweb for my fortune telling skills! Or, or Fogeye for seeing ghosts in the fog!" "We're not naming you after a disease Fogpaw," Driftstep called idly from where she lay checking for mold on her chamomile leaves.
"What about Fogfog?" Webwing teased idly. Fogpaw couldn't contain his giggles and just had to translate the joke for Crocusgaze.
"No really," Webwing insisted,
"You know of Momomoon and my fri- a warrior I mentored with had an apprentice whose warrior name was Wispwhisper. Stranger names have happened." "Whatever name you end up with-" Crocusgaze mewed after Fogpaw had relayed Webwing's tale.
"-will be a perfect fit. And Resinstar does take your opinion into account." "Then I'm going to ask to be named Fogfog," laughed Fogpaw.
"I wouldn't be surprised if he actually named you that," Crocusgaze admitted,
"Would you be Driftstep?" "I'll bet you a fully plucked bird he won't," called back Driftstep.
"You're on."Brightpool sat still and silent at the edge of the river, letting the greenleaf breeze ruffle her short ginger fur. She was supposedly out fishing but the idea of catching anything in what was barely more than a trickle was laughable; in truth the warrior was searching for a bit of peace and quiet. A little bit downstream Bronzekit was chasing a butterfly. Though he drifted further and further away Brightpool did not worry for his safety. Nothing could hurt an intangible kit and there was no need to fear that he would get lost. The ghosts had proven to have the ability to appear wherever they chose, within reason.
There was a melancholy but not a panic in watching Bronzekit wander off. Memories of Scorchkit, Thymekit, and Tumblekit turned over in Brightpool's mind. They would be young warriors now if time could be trusted. Wherever they were Brightpool wished her kits the best but knew that she was not in a position to seek them out. Bronzekit needed her now, as did Lupinekit if he would only cooperate. But not
right now, no right now was for her and her alone to rest a recharge. Brightpool tipped her muzzle to the sky, drinking in the sounds of nature: birds twittering and bees buzzing, leaves rustling in the breeze, a sharp hissed and muffled curse.
A sharp hiss? Brightpool's eyes shot open with a start and quickly located the source of the sound.
"Oh it's only you Ivypaw." Brightpool's shoulders sagged with relief and she let out a light chuckle.
"For a heartbeat there I was worried." "Only me, as usually." Ivypaw's grumbling tone was not lost on Brightpool whose muzzle contorted into a thin line of concern.
"Whatever is the matter Ivypaw?" The apprentice only snorted and flicked her tail.
"Nothing at all! Just dealing with trauma all on my own- scratch that not on my own. I have the worst ghost in the world stalking me." She shot a glare at the empty space to her left.
"You are too a stalker! The territory isn't that small!" Pointedly turning away from where Brushfire presumably sat Ivypaw returned her attention to Brightpool.
"And now to top it all off I have a sharp leaf stuck in my paw! Just great!" A sharp leaf? Something about that description made Brightpool uneasy. She thought she had seen a broken bottle along the beach earlier. The warrior had meant to tell Crocusgaze about it when she got back to camp.
"Can I see your paw?" Brightpool leaned forwards but Ivypaw yanked her paw away instead of turning it over to show it to the warrior.
"No. I'm happy to suffer on my lonesome as usual." "Ivypaw-" Brightpool sighed.
"At least let Driftstep take a look. A shard of glass can do a lot of damage if you don't take it out right away." "I'll think about it," she replied haughtily, face turned away as to not let Brightpool read her expression,
"If she has time for little old me anyways." "Ivypaw-" But Ivypaw was already limping away, tail waving high in the air.
"Doth thee needeth any holp?" "What does it look like?" Moosetracks considered the sight that met his eyes. He had ventured into former Aspenclan territory in hopes of finding some perspective; he hadn't expected to come across a ruddy tom buried up to his belly in the earth.
"'t looks as if 't be true the earth did swallow thee up," Moosetracks mewed seriously as he padded closer to the stuck cat.
"How didst this befall?" The ruddy tom huffed and ceased his futile wriggling.
"Well I didn't grow here if that's on your mind. I was coming in from the lake and the mud was deeper than I expected. It started drying up around me before I could get out." Behind the tom Moostracks could make out a path of churned up dried mud leading from the lake. His eyes narrowed slightly at the thought- did mud normally dry so fast? Hadn't the Aspenclan lake been larger yesterday?
"Hey are you going to help me out of here? Uh, please?" "Aye, s'rry" Moosetracks put away his confusion, likely he was over, or under, thinking things as usual.
"Can thee moveth at all?" the warrior inquired as he dabbed at the earth around the cat who introduced himself as Pinto. The dirt was dry and hard to to the touch and Pinto confirmed that line of thinking with a shake of his head.
"Waiteth right h're." "Don't really have a choice," Pinto retorted, but there was less bite to the comment than before. Moosetracks returned soon after with a branch clutched between his jaws.
"Sucketh in thy stomach," he instructed and, as Pinto obliged, shoved half of the branch underneath him. Leaning his full weight on the over end, Moosetracks forced it down as the other end went up, winding Pinto but also causing the earth around him to crack and groan until it finally let go of its prey with a pop.
Pinto stumbled forwards, stubby legs caked with dirt, but Moosetracks managed to catch him before he would up with an equally dusty muzzle.
"Art thee well enow?" "Yeah," gasped Pinto as he settled himself. Glancing back between his dusty fur and Moosetracks he looked at the warrior imploringly.
"You can't tell anyone about this. They would think me ridiculous." "I shall not bid. I knoweth what t's liketh to beest p'rceiv'd as foolish," Moosetracks assured him. Relief flooded Pinto's face at Moosetrack's promise, but was quickly clouded over. "
You do?" Moosetracks nodded easily.
"The clan und'rstand not how I speaketh and maketh assumptions. I knoweth I am not the sharpest claw on the paw but I has't a few tricks." "Oh-" Pinto's face became unreadable, "Wait, did you say clan? You're a clan cat?"
"Aye." "Can you take me your clan?"___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
「xxCrocus & Ivy, Rye & Gopher trainxxx
xxx↪ Rye can teach two skills a moonxxx
xxxDrift goes hunting for kitting herbsxxx
Tawny, Bright, Moose, Mottled hunt
xxxxxxxxxxResin, Fog, Pinto, Gust patrolxxxxxxxxxx
xxxxxxxxxxx2 squirrels eaten by the clanxxxxxxxxxxxxxxTaffy prepares for kits (1 moon)xxxxxxPinto is received as a birthday catxxxxxxxIvy neglects the glass in her pawxx」
